Women's Subordinate Status in Eighteenth-Century Oriya Literature

Summary

Eighteenth-century Oriya literature, particularly the Riti school, prominently featured women but often depicted them through a patriarchal lens. While women were central to poetic works like *Kotibrahmandasundari* and *Premasudhanidhi*, they were primarily portrayed as elite figures from royal or feudal families, reflecting the socio-political dominance of these groups. Common women’s lives were rarely represented, likely due to the feudal structure of Orissa, which was divided into small states under Mughal and Maratha influence. Women’s roles were heavily regulated by traditions, with puberty rituals marking significant societal events. Marriages often occurred before puberty, especially among lower classes, driven by fears of moral deviation. Elite women, like the characters in *Premasudhanidhi* and *Sasirekha Kavya*, experienced elaborate puberty ceremonies, including confinement to special rooms and rituals emphasizing reproductive purity. These events underscored women’s perceived primary role in childbearing and their subordination to male authority. Literary works idealized women’s obedience to husbands, framing them as objects of male desire and societal property. Women’s autonomy was restricted, with practices like *sati* and severe penalties for transgressing patriarchal norms. The analysis of these literary texts reveals the deeply entrenched patriarchal structures of the era, which dictated women’s lives through religious, social, and cultural norms.